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Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed > General Knowledge Trivia

Think You Know South Asia? Take Our Asian Trivia Quiz!

Ready for some fun facts about South Asia? Dive into our Asia trivia questions!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for South Asian trivia quiz on coral background

Use this Asian trivia quiz to see how much you know about South Asia - its culture, geography, and history. Play for fun and pick up new facts as you go; for a broader set, try the full Asia quiz or explore more fun facts.

What is the capital city of India?
Chennai
Kolkata
New Delhi
Mumbai
New Delhi was established in 1911 to replace Calcutta as the capital of British India and today serves as the seat of the Government of India. It houses important government buildings such as the Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan. As the administrative and political center, New Delhi is internationally recognized as India's capital city.
Which river is considered sacred in Hinduism and flows through northern India and Bangladesh?
Brahmaputra
Yamuna
Ganges
Indus
The Ganges River is revered in Hinduism as the goddess Ganga and is worshiped for its purifying waters. It flows from the Himalayas through northern India into Bangladesh where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. The river supports millions of people with its fertile plains and has deep cultural and religious significance.
What is the national flower of Pakistan?
Rose
Jasmine
Sunflower
Lotus
Jasmine, known locally as 'Chameli', is the national flower of Pakistan. It symbolizes purity and simplicity and is widely cultivated across the country for its fragrant blossoms. Jasmine holds cultural significance and is often used in ceremonies and religious offerings.
Which South Asian country is an island nation made up of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean?
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Maldives
The Maldives is an archipelagic state consisting of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka. It is known for its coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and low-lying islands. The country's economy heavily relies on tourism and fishing.
What is the official currency of Bangladesh?
Rupee
Taka
Kyat
Dollar
The official currency of Bangladesh is the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). It was introduced in 1972 after Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. The Taka is subdivided into 100 poisha.
During which Indian festival do people throw colored powders and water to celebrate the arrival of spring?
Holi
Eid
Vaisakhi
Diwali
Holi, the Festival of Colors, is celebrated across India to welcome spring and symbolize the victory of good over evil. Participants throw colored powders and water at each other in joyful revelry. The festival occurs in late February or March and includes music, dance, and festive foods.
What is the official language of Nepal?
Hindi
Urdu
Nepali
Sinhala
Nepali is the official language of Nepal and is spoken by the majority of its population. It is part of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. Nepali uses the Devanagari script and serves as a lingua franca among the country's diverse ethnic groups.
Which is the highest mountain in the world, located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and China?
Mount Everest
K2
Kangchenjunga
Lhotse
Mount Everest is the world's highest peak, standing at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level. It lies on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. First summited in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, it remains a major challenge for mountaineers.
Who commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal in Agra during the 17th century?
Akbar
Jahangir
Aurangzeb
Shah Jahan
The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is an outstanding example of Mughal architecture, combining Persian, Islamic, and Indian design elements. Today, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
What is the national animal of Bangladesh, also a subspecies of Panthera tigris?
Indian Elephant
Asiatic Lion
Royal Bengal Tiger
Snow Leopard
The Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the national animal of Bangladesh and is found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. It represents strength, power, and grace in Bangladeshi culture. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect this endangered subspecies.
What is the national language of Pakistan, used as lingua franca across the country?
Pashto
Punjabi
Urdu
Sindhi
Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan, widely used in government, education, and media. Although it is the mother tongue of a small percentage of the population, it unites speakers of diverse regional languages. Urdu evolved from the Indo-Aryan language group with Persian, Arabic, and Turkic influences.
In which year did India gain independence from British colonial rule?
1935
1947
1965
1950
India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, following a nonviolent struggle led by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The Indian Independence Act 1947 partitioned British India into two dominions, India and Pakistan. August 15 is now celebrated annually as Independence Day in India.
Which is the smallest country in South Asia by land area?
Sri Lanka
Bhutan
Maldives
Nepal
The Maldives is the smallest country in South Asia by land area, covering just around 300 square kilometers of land spread over 26 atolls. Despite its small size, it has significant maritime territory in the Indian Ocean. The country's flat, low-lying geography makes it vulnerable to sea level rise.
Which spice, known as "black gold," is Kerala in India famous for producing?
Cardamom
Turmeric
Saffron
Black Pepper
Black pepper, often called "black gold," has been cultivated in Kerala for over 2,000 years. The Western Ghats region provides the perfect humid, tropical climate for pepper vines. Kerala's pepper was a highly prized commodity in ancient spice trade routes.
Which desert spans the border region of southeastern Pakistan and western India?
Thar Desert
Kalahari Desert
Sahara Desert
Gobi Desert
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, stretches across southeastern Pakistan and the Indian state of Rajasthan. It covers about 200,000 square kilometers and features dunes, scrublands, and seasonal lakes. The region has a rich cultural heritage, with local music, arts, and traditional lifestyles adapted to arid conditions.
The Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with frescoes and gardens, is located in which country?
Bhutan
India
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress located in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka. Built during the reign of King Kasyapa in the 5th century CE, it features elaborate frescoes, water gardens, and a lion-shaped gateway. Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka's most visited historical sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Which historical spice trade maritime network connected South Asia to the Mediterranean world?
Tea Horse Road
Amber Road
Silk Road
Spice Route
The Spice Route refers to sea lanes that connected South Asia, particularly India and Sri Lanka, to the Middle East and Mediterranean markets. These maritime routes were active from ancient times and were critical for the trade of pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and other spices. The network boosted cultural and economic exchanges across continents.
The Sun Temple at Konark in India is primarily dedicated to which Hindu deity?
Surya
Indra
Shiva
Vishnu
The Konark Sun Temple, built in the 13th century CE in Odisha, India, is dedicated to Surya, the Hindu sun god. Designed as a colossal chariot with intricately carved wheels and horses, it represents the sun's movement across the sky. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its architecture and sculpture.
Which Mughal emperor founded the city of Fatehpur Sikri and made it his capital in the late 16th century?
Jahangir
Humayun
Shah Jahan
Akbar
Emperor Akbar founded Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 and shifted his court there in 1571, naming it the City of Victory. The red sandstone city served as the Mughal capital until 1585 when water shortages prompted a move back to Agra. Fatehpur Sikri is celebrated for its fusion of Persian and Indian architectural styles.
Which South Asian country is recognized as the world's first carbon negative nation?
Bangladesh
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Bhutan
Bhutan is the world's first carbon negative country, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits due to its extensive forests and sustainable hydropower. The constitution mandates that at least 60% of Bhutan's land remain forested for all time. Bhutan also measures prosperity by Gross National Happiness rather than GDP.
Rabindranath Tagore composed the national anthems for India and which other South Asian country?
Pakistan
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Rabindranath Tagore wrote the lyrics and music for India's national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and Bangladesh's national anthem 'Amar Shonar Bangla'. He was the first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature and a towering figure in Bengali literature and music. His anthems reflect themes of unity, freedom, and cultural pride.
Nanda Devi is the highest mountain entirely within the borders of which country?
Bhutan
India
Pakistan
Nepal
Nanda Devi, at 7,816 meters (25,643 feet), is the highest peak located wholly within India's borders, in the state of Uttarakhand. It is part of the Garhwal Himalayas and is revered in local mythology. The region around Nanda Devi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity.
What was the capital city of the ancient Gupta Empire around the 4th to 6th centuries CE?
Lumbini
Pataliputra
Taxila
Harappa
Pataliputra, located near modern-day Patna in Bihar, India, served as the capital of the Gupta Empire from the early 4th century CE. It was a major center of political power, trade, and culture during India's Golden Age. Archaeological remains and historical texts praise its urban planning and administrative sophistication.
Who wrote "The Discovery of India," a comprehensive work about Indian history and culture published in 1946?
Jawaharlal Nehru
Mahatma Gandhi
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
B. R. Ambedkar
Jawaharlal Nehru wrote 'The Discovery of India' during his imprisonment in 1942 - 1946, presenting a sweeping overview of India's heritage, philosophy, and politics. The book was published in 1946 and remains a seminal text on Indian civilization. Nehru's insights reflect his vision for independent India.
Which country was the most recent to join the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 2007?
Sri Lanka
Bhutan
Maldives
Afghanistan
Afghanistan became the eighth member of SAARC on April 3, 2007, expanding the group's focus to include Central Asian cooperation. SAARC was founded in 1985 by seven South Asian nations and aims to promote regional integration and development. Afghanistan's inclusion has helped broaden the organization's geopolitical scope.
Which Gupta emperor, also known by the title "Vikramaditya," is credited with ushering in the Golden Age of India?
Skandagupta
Chandragupta II
Chandragupta I
Samudragupta
Chandragupta II, also known as Vikramaditya, reigned from c. 380 - 415 CE and oversaw a period of prosperity and cultural flowering known as India's Golden Age. His patronage of art, literature, and science led to major achievements in poetry, astronomy, and architecture. Inscriptions and coins celebrate his military and diplomatic successes.
The Durand Line, which now forms part of the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, was established by a treaty in what year?
1947
1893
1857
1919
The Durand Line Agreement was signed in 1893 between British India and the Emirate of Afghanistan, defining the frontier boundary. It remains a contentious border, dividing ethnic Pashtun territories. The line has significant geopolitical implications for both Pakistan and Afghanistan to this day.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand South Asia's Cultural Heritage -

    Recall major festivals, customs, and artistic traditions highlighted in the Asia trivia questions to appreciate regional diversity.

  2. Identify Key Geographical Features -

    Locate and describe South Asia's prominent rivers, mountain ranges, and landmarks using insights from the Asian trivia challenge.

  3. Describe Historical Milestones -

    Outline important dynasties, independence movements, and events that shaped South Asian history as presented in the quiz.

  4. Analyze Linguistic and Religious Diversity -

    Differentiate between the region's major languages and religions and understand their social impact through trivia questions.

  5. Apply Fun Facts in Conversation -

    Use engaging fun facts about South Asia gleaned from the quiz to enrich discussions and broaden cultural awareness.

  6. Assess and Expand Your Knowledge -

    Measure your proficiency with Asian trivia and identify new topics for further learning about South Asia.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Formation of the Himalayas -

    The Himalayan range, the world's youngest mountains, was formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates around 50 million years ago (USGS). Remember the mnemonic "HIP": Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic Plain, Peninsula to recall South Asia's three main physical zones. This fact often pops up in asian trivia as a key geography point.

  2. Indus Valley Civilization Highlights -

    Dating from 3300 - 1300 BCE, the Indus Valley Civilization featured advanced urban planning with grid streets and sophisticated drainage (UNESCO). Think "MHD" for Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Dholavira when tackling asia trivia questions on ancient societies. Fun facts about South Asia include their standardized bricks and early trade with Mesopotamia.

  3. Languages and Religions Mosaic -

    South Asia is home to over 1,600 languages and six major religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Christianity (Ethnologue). Use the acronym "HICS BJ" (Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism) to ace asian trivia questions on cultural diversity. This diversity underscores countless fun facts about South Asia's festivals and rituals.

  4. Economic Growth and Sectors -

    South Asia boasts some of the world's fastest-growing economies, with services accounting for about 54% of its GDP, followed by industry (28%) and agriculture (18%) according to the World Bank. A quick formula - GDP = Services + Industry + Agriculture - helps you break down sector contributions in asia trivia. India's rapid IT expansion and Bangladesh's textile boom often feature in asian trivia.

  5. Tea Production and Cultural Impact -

    Producing over 1.3 million metric tons annually (FAO), South Asia supplies around 70% of the world's tea, with iconic regions like Assam and Darjeeling leading the way. Recall "ADT" (Assam, Darjeeling, Tea) as a memory aid for fun facts about South Asia's top tea zones. Bollywood references to chai scenes often sneak into asian trivia questions for a flavorful twist.

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